The bulky Mr. Fernando Alonso

Called back to help Enstone get back on track and makeAlpine a top team, the Spaniard exceeds expectations and could force the management of the French structure to review its plans. What if Alonso was not the man of the past, but of the future?

Published on 03/05/2022 à 09:00

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Fernando Alonso Alpine F1 Team © Joao Filipe / DPPI

Why this return of Fernando Alonso in 2021?

May 2020, the transfer market is not experiencing the health crisis. Mercenary without qualms heading towards McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo just placed Renault in embarrassment and his staff in doubt. For the credibility of one and the mental health of the other, Franco-English management guided by Cyril Abiteboul (general manager of Renault Sport Racing) must act quickly and well. Strike a big blow to wash away the affront, and restart the machine. With Esteban Ocon, the team knows how to hold a sure value of the future, but what it needs without delay is a locomotive capable of rallying all the votes and giving the French hopeful a little time to put on his suit of leader.

Fernando Alonso and Laurent Red announced the continuation of their collaboration in 2022 on the sidelines of the 24H of Le Mans © Julien Delfosse / DPPI

What is missing enstone, he is a type of experience, a heavyweight champion, a driver who commands respect both through his record and his personality. Also, he must still be hungry for success and be free. Everything then points to the “Taurus of Asturias”. He is viscerally attached to the French team, with which he won his two world championship titles (2005 and 2006). He remains on two bitter failures with